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Sue Spitulnik

Writing, Sewing, Travel, and Thoughts

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Pearl Harbor Day

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed across the nation this day in honor of all those who lost their lives serving this nation at Pearl Harbor.  There were more than 3,500 Americans who lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day.

Think about that number for a minute. 3,500 Americans. That’s a lot of people!  Each one of those people had families, neighbors, school friends, and home-town acquaintances that were emotionally stunned by the loss. The fact the attack happened on our own soil also had a profound effect. No wonder most able-bodied young men, and women, signed up to fight for our country. The American populace understood why we needed to get involved.

I have the privilege of spending one morning a month with a WWII veteran in a writing group I belong to. He tells how a military member at that time had to earn points in order to be discharged from service, and he was one of the Americans that helped regain control of Rome for the allies. His history lessons are fascinating. He still wonders, 70 years later, why he was lucky enough to come home.

If you have young people in your life that think WWII happened on another planet, in another time, because it was soooo long ago, please take a minute today and share some of your, or your parents, memories of what happened after the Pearl Harbor attack. It was a time when national pride was fierce and respect for our nation and it’s government was a given. Maybe even add a bit about that’s why we stand and place our hand over our heart when the National Anthem is played. It’s a sign of respect, unification and loyalty.

Thank you to our veterans that keep us free.

 

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Enjoy the Suds

Funny how a title of one of these National Days evokes different thoughts. When I saw the title Bathtub Party Day I wondered just what the picture would be. Somehow, one baby in a tub doesn’t equal a party to me. I immediately thought of my two children playing in a tub of bubbles when they were both under the age of five. I also remembered how a special friend would stay overnight when we were kids and fist we would make “secret” mud-holes in the garden, then take a bath together to clean up.

But: my mind also went to college, when a bathtub would be filled with ice and all sorts of alcoholic beverages in cans or bottles. Now that was a party. I have also heard of pouring all the bottles and cans contents into a tub and using it like a huge punch bowl. Sorry, that scene turns my stomach. Then I imagined a fancy hotel room with a heart shaped tub with a couple on their honey-moon or a weekend get-away. I would enjoy that one! I hope someone thought to bring a candle and a bottle of wine.

So what was the first scene your mind conjured when you read Bathtub Party Day? Maybe you can help me learn some new options.

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An Apple A Day

I just spent a whole lot of time with my sister and her husband helping out after she had a knee replacement. It was a pleasure to be able to do it. During one breakfast we talked about our Christmas Stockings when we were kids. The toe usually held an orange or an apple. We looked forward to that piece of fruit almost more than the other small gifts from Santa.

When I was in grade school, I got a box of apples in the mail at Christmas time. They were from the man who was the postmaster in our little one block town. They were each nestled in fake straw in a cardboard thing that looked like a huge egg carton. My sisters and parents shared the apples and the shiny red ones were always eaten first.

Currently, I make a salad each morning for my husband’s lunch. When we can get fresh Empire apples he gets one of those for his afternoon snack. There’s nothing else like the first bite into a juicy red apple.

Back to my sister; her doctor’s name is David Grimm. My friend, Mary, always makes about ten different types of cookies at Christmas time and she passes out tins of them as gifts. When she delivers to Dr. Grimm’s office, because he did her knee too, she includes an apple for Dr. Grimm because he prefers it. Me, I’ll take the cookies.

Today is also National Pie Day. I recommend Apple, that way, no matter what, you can eat an apple today. Enjoy!

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Give What You Can

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

I’ve had the radio on this morning listening to the many suggestions of places in my area that could use some financial help. I wish I could give to them all as they are all organizations that HELP people or animals. There are organizations as big as the Red Cross and United Way and small groups like the local women’s shelter where abused women and children can find safety (often with only the clothes they have on).

Please take a minute to assess your own situation. Think about how much you really do have, then make a pledge to share some of it, even a $5.00 bill can help the local food pantry. I’m sure you have regular places you donate. I challenge you to pick at least one other organization to give to for the benefit of others. We can all give up one trip to the ice cream stand, or one order of chicken wings during the next year in order to help another in a time of need.

Thank You for helping on Giving Tuesday.

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Cyber Monday

My sister has a new knee, Thanksgiving weekend is over, lots of us shopped on-line on Cyber Monday and are now awaiting our packages via the US mail, UPS or Fed-Ex.

Have you ever thought about the driver of a UPS or Fed-Ex truck? My son is a UPS driver, going on 23 years with the company. His body is shot from all the heavy lifting, the eighteen (or so) inch step out of and into the truck over 200 times a day, and he gets to see his daughter on weekends, because at the age of four, she is usually in bed by the time he gets home at night. On an exceptionally light delivery day he might get home by 7pm; between Thanksgiving and Christmas it is usually between 9 and 10pm.  I’m not trying to complain, just educate. Yes, he makes good money, but it comes with a price.

During the month of December a UPS driver can actually be fired for calling in sick, or taking time to go to a friends funeral. That’s where Mom gets to help. Today I will be going to the funeral of my son’s best friend’s wife, who died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 50. I am going with my daughter-in-law for moral support and as a stand-in for my son. It’s a priviledge to be able to do these things for my son, but it bothers him emotionally that he has to tell his wife, or friend he can’t be there for them because his job is at stake.

I’m not looking for sympathy, but empathy would be nice. Next time you get a package delivered whether from Cyber Monday shopping or any other day, think about the sacrifices your driver may be making to get that package to you on the day it is expected. And if that driver is a little crabby during the next month, think about the fact he/she might be letting his family down during this busy season. Thanks for listening.

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Cranberry Relish

Thanksgiving means turkey to most people, and in my house, you must have cranberry relish with turkey. I insist! My grandson will only eat the jelly type, no lumps for him, in the relish, the potatoes or the gravy. I like the kind with chunks of berries in it. Even better, I like home-made with fresh cranberries, oranges, apples, nuts and sugar.

During the Watergate scandal I was working at a restaurant in a small town. I guess you could say it was a big town as there were two restaurants vying for the same customers. As a new employee of one of them, I was given a ten-dollar bill and told to go have lunch at the competitor. I was to report the menu selections, the quality of service, especially how long it took to get my order and if it was correct. Wow! Really! It made me realize if this went on between two restaurants, there was certainly spying going in government or business.  I digress.

My favorite part of working at that restaurant was the days we made cranberry relish. There was a big grinder we poured multiple bags of cranberries in, then oranges, a few apples, some pecans and then sugar. The machine ground and mixed to perfection. That relish was served in little paper cups with toast in the morning, with any turkey sandwich or dinner, and any time someone asked for it. I would eat it as a treat when I could get away with it. It had the perfect balance of sweetness, and tart fruit.

The restaurant is still open. I wonder if they still serve my favorite cranberry relish. Maybe I should stop next time I drive by.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

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